3.30.2012

As it is Friday, we suggest that after school / work / whatever, you collect your Magic the Gathering deck and make tracks to your local store. Unfortunately, we won't be able to get to our local store (OMG! Games in Barrie), as we have to go to a birthday party - this sucks - and we really can't get out of it as it happens to be our birthdays we are celebrating.

Anywhoos - onto to today's post to MTG Realm.You may recall yesterday's post which we did a round-up of new Magic the Gathering Online (MTGO) card arts with the last server update. Well we got a few eMails from readers asking why we don't do more MTGO posts. We would like to but our laptop was purchased waaay back in 2005 (the year Hurricane Katrina devastated the City of New Orleans) and we sink spare cash into the cardboard collection. This still does not mean we are unable to report of cool new dvelopments happening on MTGO. So - for the folks who told us MOAR MTGO - here's a post about MOPR . . .

3.29.2012

Happy Thursday MTG peeps,There is just over a week left before the Avacyn Restored spoilers / previews begin on April 9th on the Mothership which means we here at MTG Realm will be rather busy keeping up with the latest new Magic the Gathering Cards and delivering daily posts to you the reader. On April 7th though, we should be getting an early sneak peek during the PAX East (Penny Arcard Expo) taking place in Boston. Here's some juice from Wizards :

Come and talk with the Magic creative team and get insight the world of Magic. Get a preview of the new Avacyn Restored expansion and much more. You'll see new art, new cards, and you'll even have a chance to pick up some Magic swag!

~Onto today's post topic titled 'New MTGO Arts'. Magic the Gathering Online (or MTGO) is the most popular place for gamers to sling virtual MTG cards and if you have an internet connection and love this card game, chances are you are likely playing nearly every day. Anywhoos - Forum user Niabock has giving a rundown of new card art files with the last update. It is thought to be new promos or perhaps product (Cube, etc.) and not likely (but not impossible) to see cardboard print as a promo or an upcoming set. Let's have a looky-see -

The arts are all very cool and most may be reprints as some suggest the following names : Badlands, Bayou, Savannah, Taiga, Volcanic Island, Plateau, Scrubland, Tropical Island, Tundra, Karakas, Control Magic, Reliquary Tower, Hydroblast, Pyroblast, Rampant Growth, Zuran Orb, Incinerate, etc.~

3.28.2012

Some interesting news via WoTC Monty today on the Mothership. Apparently there will be something rather special coming to a Friday Night Magic event at your local store on Friday 6th April, 2012. This evening we plan to be at our local gaming store OMG! Games & Collectibles in Barrie, Ontario, Canada-Land to score this piece of cardboard coolness..

What's the swag ? In addition to the normal FNM promo card (distributed to winners / however your tournament organiser runs things), all participants should be receiving the very first doulbe-faced token to see print.

These non-foil cards feature a 1/1 Human on one side, and a 2/2 Wolf on the other side. The Token illustrations featured on both sides are by artist Lars Grant-West. The FNM promo card for April by-the-way is a very cool alternate art Dismember (from New Phyrexia) by Jason Felix.

Normally, token cards in your Magic the Gathering booster pack contains the token on one side and an advertisement of sorts on the other side, such as this one here featuring a Shadowmoor Wolf token - also by Lars Grant-West.

Some players / gamers are already speculating that this two-sided token may have something to do with the upcoming set release and are already filling the forums with Avacyn Restored speculation. Our thinking is that this card was set to be printed as swag or booster insert when Innistrad was first released but Wizards of the Coast put it on the back burner, Dark Ascension was released and then a staffer realised that better late than never.

The timing however is rather interesting as well. In Monty's brief article, he speaks onto the importance of the moon in the plane of Innistrad's flavour. It so happens that Friday 6th April we will have a Full Moon (IRL). Villagers on Innistrad believe the moon to be a 'vast desert made of grains of pure silver', with magical / mythical properties. We can expect to see a continuation of this line of flavour as seen from the Avacyn Restored spoilers (card names only so far) - Moonsilver Spear - prerelease card and Sliverblade Paladin (buy-a-box promo).~Lastly,

The folks over at MTG Mint Card still has a very limited number of oversized foil Commander / EDH Generals. If you have not scored one of these to pimp out your build, we suggest you make tracks before they are all gone.

3.27.2012

For today's post, we wanted to do a round-up of upcoming Magic the Gathering Comics published by IDW. We realise that depending where you may reside, you might not even have the very first one in your local store yet. First though, here's an interesting blurb about MTG comic sales from Comic Book Resources -

"IDW had a strong month with "Magic the Gathering" topping the sales list for the publisher. Issue #1 sold around 28,854 units and #2 sold around 23,846 estimated units."IDW had a strong month with "Magic the Gathering" topping the sales list for the publisher. Issue #1 sold around 28,854 units and #2 sold around 23,846 estimated units. IDW has a fairly diverse lineup of properties with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles titles, the Transformers titles, the Infestation 2 crossover event and the G.I. Joe titles, as well as having a number of original properties like "Locke and Key" and "Next Men."

One reason that the IDW Magic: the Gathering comics may be selling so well is because they come with an alternate art promotional Magic: the Gathering card.

The first issue of IDW's Magic: the Gathering comic book series featured an exclusive alternate-art Treasure Hunt, while issue two a Faithless Looting. The third issue will feature an Electrolyze, and the fourth comes with Feast of Blood.

~Here's the blurb on the new series

San Diego, CA (March 9, 2012) – What happens when mystery, sorcery, different planes of existence, comic books, and trading card gaming collide? A brand-newMagic: The Gathering® miniseries, of course!

Continuing the blockbuster success of the eponymous first series, writer Matt Forbeck and artist Martín Cóccolobring further adventures of Planeswalker Dack Fayden inMagic: The Gathering: The Spell Thief! “Dack is back!” says series writer Matt Forbeck. “And I’m thrilled that [series artist] Martin Cóccolo and I get to tell more of his story. He’s hot on the trail of Sifa Grent, the woman who destroyed his hometown, and it’s only a matter of time before the Multiverse’s greatest thief tracks her down—if he survives that long.” Forbeck laughs. “Poor Dack. He’s got a hell of a path ahead of him, one that leads through all sorts of different planes and runs him smack into a Planeswalker or two that fans of the card game should recognize.”As spells, swords, and wits clash, an epic new tale unfolds along with a fully playable, alternate-art Magic: The Gathering card only available in each polybagged issue! Your only excuse for missing out on this series is a hatred of adventure!

Magic: The Gathering - The Spell Thief #2 (of 4)Release Date : June 27, 2012Dack Fayden barely escapes the Collector's prison... and now finds himself back on his home plane of Fiora. Forced to confront the destruction of his hometown, Dack relives the painful memories as he seeks clues that will lead him back on the trail of the malevolent Sifa Grent. Dack must find the strength within himself to carry on or his burden of guilt may prove too overwhelming for the Planeswalker thief. Special playable MAGIC: THE GATHERING card polybagged in this issue!

Magic: The Gathering: - The Spell Thief #1 (of 4)Release Date : May 30, 2012Planeswalker Dack Fayden has followed Sifa Grent into a mysterious plane, where a Titan's castle looms invitingly in the distance. Entering the castle in search of Sifa, Dack is soon imprisoned by the Titan and added to his vast collection. Dack must find a way out before the trail to Sifa runs cold and he remains the Titan's prisoner forever! Special playable Magic: The Gathering card polybagged in each issue!

~And the rest for reference . . .

MAGIC THE GATHERING #1Release Date : Wed, February 1st, 2012Get ready, Magic: The Gathering fans, there's a new Planeswalker in town! In search of greater magical knowledge and on the hunt for the people who destroyed his town, Dack Fayden is the greatest thief in the Multiverse. When he gets his hands on his latest prize, though, he has no idea where it will lead him-or to who!Issue #1 MTG Card - Treasure HuntMAGIC THE GATHERING #2Release Date : Wed, February 29th, 2012Get ready, Magic: The Gathering fans, there’s a new Planeswalker in town! On the trail of the person who destroyed his town, Dack Fayden must travel to Innistrad, a plane of savage monsters, strange transformations and sinister magic. Naturally, Dack immediately gets caught up in a vampire attack at a secluded inn.Issue #2 MTG Card - Faithless Looting

MAGIC THE GATHERING #3Release Date : Wed, March 28th, 2012After last issue's fierce battle against a group of Innistrad vampires, Dack Fayden has found a new ally: young cathar Ingrid Reichert. With her help, Dack continues to track down the person who devastated his hometown. But when Dack stumbles into another vampire attack, even Ingrid's help may not be enough to get them out alive...Issue #3 MTG Card - Feast of BloodMAGIC THE GATHERING #4Release Date : ?Dack Fayden has finally caught up to the mage that destroyed his home village, but it might be too late: she has begun casting a deadly spell that will drain hundreds of their life force. And, now that Dack has arrived, he may fall prey to the same dark magic as the rest!Issue #4 MTG Card - Electrolyze

~Finally,The next set in the Duel Deck series, Venser vs. Koth is due out next month (March 30th). There is already a bit of hype about this set and we should very soon within the next few weeks have the full decklist. We suggest you stay tuned to MTG Mint Card which will have all the coolest singles from this set for pre-order.~

3.26.2012

Today we want to yatter to you about a rumour regarding the Magic 2013. This Magic the Gathering Core Set is scheduled to be release on July 13, 2012. More specifically, the rumour (purported by Boston Magic the Gathering Examiner care of David Leavitt, as well as several others) note that the popular Conflux Uncommon white instant, Path to Exile, may be due for a reprint in the upcoming core set.

Here's the thinking . . .

The uncommon artifact 'Voltaic Key', originally printed in the Urza's Saga set (released October 1998), found itself as a reprint in Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (released March 2010) with new art. Subsequently, with the release of the Magic 2010 core set in July 2009 it was reprinted.

A new alternate art Path to Exile by card illustrator Erica Yang in Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (due to be released this weekend) was recently revealed in a Gathering Magic article last week which are making some Magic the Gathering fans / gamers left thinking that PTE will be back again with this fall's core set. Perhaps a titch tenuous but still worth reporting to you.

The original Conflux art by Todd Lockwood depicts a Leonin getting his ash kicked while the Rebecca Guay art on the WPN / Gateway promo shows a creepy water witch photo-bombing a Knight burial at sea. The new art by Erica Yang looks kick-butt and has a mage blowing up a monstrous serpent.

Anywhoos - You may or may not like the Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth decklists, but we're certain you will agree that the new alternate arts for Anger, Chartooth Cougar, Plated Geopede, Preordain, Path to Exile and the Koth / Venser Planeswalkers / emblems may be enough motivation for players to purchase.~

Finally,The next set in the Duel Deck series, Venser vs. Koth is due out next month (March 30th). There is already a bit of hype about this set and we should very soon within the next few weeks have the full decklist. We suggest you stay tuned to MTG Mint Card which will have all the coolest singles from this set for pre-order.~

3.23.2012

You may recall from our previous post (linky HERE) of the interesting Magic the Gathering Avacyn Restored prerelease promotion. Specifically, we're talking about the Helvault Prerelease Kit. This kit is still a super-secret but we do know that gamers attending the Prerelease event (April 28-29, 2012) at select / limited number of stores will have on hand the regular prerelease kit (24 participation promo cards - 'Moonsilver Spear', and 18 achievement cards). In addition to this, the store (may) have one 'Helvault' filled with bonus Avacyn Restored prizes 'n' swag to support up to 54 players.

From WOTC communications to organisers, players are to slowly unlock the Helvault throughout the Prerelease. What's inside then ? That is the big mystery. Supposedly, there are three types of items and with 54 players, the organiser will be able to give each of participant 1 of 'item A', 2 of 'item B', and 1 of 'item C' or a similar equitable arrangement depending upon the number of prerelease participants.~

Speculation Time - What do you think is inside ?Drop your guess / guesses in the comment form below.

Some rumours to date -

• Once you break open the Helvault you will release real-life Demons exorcised from the WoTC office building.

~Lastly,If you are heading out to Friday Night Magic tonight and happen to find yourself at OMG! Games and Collectibles in Barrie, Ontario, we suggest you bring along Slagstorm, Marrow Shards, or Elesh Norn (G.C.) in your sideboard becuase we're playing tokens again.

3.21.2012

We realise that we have already providing you with a post to the MTG Realm blog earlier today (Duel Decks : Venser vs. Koth decklists), but as it turns out, today holds for Magic the Gathering gamers / fans more news. Specifically, in today's Magic Arcana, we were provided a sneak-peek of the Avacyn Restored Trailer. Wizards of the Coast have been providing some very good trailers ahead of the release of sets, the most impressive (we thought) being the 'All will be One' Scars of Mirrodin Mirran / Phyrexian Trailer. The last few trailers have bee good but could be great with improved character voice-overs.

Anywhoos, here's the video for Avacyn Restored - brace yourself for loads of possible card Avacyn Restored art spoilers ! SCROLL DOWN for screen-caps of the potential new arts.

~

Legions of Angels have been given a renewed sense of purposeand clearly strength is returning to our people.Archmages are again weilding their devine power.Once fearsome predators are now subservient guardians.And this reign of darkness will end.

~

We are loving all the Angel love promised here in the trailer and look forward to what the other colours may hold. Griselbrand is also looking completely bad-a$$ - dude has a hammer and a sickle for appendages - Dang. Which means some lesser demon gets the job of spoon-feeding Big G and wiping for him too. Also peaking our interest - what the Human 'Archmage' may do.~Finally,The next set in the Duel Deck series, Venser vs. Koth is due out next month (March 30th). There is already a bit of hype about this set and we should very soon within the next few weeks have the full decklist. We suggest you stay tuned to MTG Mint Card which will have all the coolest singles from this set for pre-order.~

Some exciting news out today regarding the latest Magic the GatheringDuel Deck set - Venser vs. Koth. Full decklists and images have been posted over at Gathering Magic by GM minion Adam Styborski - so head on over and give them some link-love.

If you are not in the know - Duel Decks are a Magic the Gathering special series of theme decks that started waaay back in 2007. They contain two 60-card decks designed and developed specifically to be played against each other by two people. Each set depicts a notable rivalry. The sets alternate between showing two rival factions, and two rival planeswalkers, etc.

~Finally,The next set in the Duel Deck series, Venser vs. Koth is due out next month (March 30th). There is already a bit of hype about this set and we should very soon within the next few weeks have the full decklist. We suggest you stay tuned to MTG Mint Card which will have all the coolest singles from this set for pre-order.~

3.20.2012

As it is Tuesday, we remind you that you may want to tune in to Tosh.0 on the Comedy Network - tune into the funny phail vids and tune out to the terribad writing and delivery by Daniel. Anywhoos - let's get onto that piece of Magic the Gathering news on the DCI banned and restricted list updates we first told you about in yesterday's post . . .

The DCI examined the current block format and found that creature-token based strategies were dominating and largely competing with other creature-token based strategies. In particular, Intangible Virtue and Lingering Souls were very prevalent. In the interest of making Innistrad Block Constructed a more diverse and healthy format, the DCI is banning Intangible Virtue and Lingering Souls.

As we don't play block constructed, this is us not really caring. For those on MTGO, our heart-felt condolences.~Next up -

Onto the subject of today's post - hinted at in the post title - Mono-Green Standard Stompy. We had not played a mono-green build since Lorwyn and when we had seen some of the very excellent choices in the last Magic the Gathering spoilers with Dark Ascension, we could not help but start working on a build.

One path we did want to take after Woodland Cemetery was set loose on standard was a build with Glissa, the Traitor, Hex Parasite, Perilous Myr. We also thought of using trying one of the new green fatties with a Deadly Allure on it or even unusual mana-ramp tech with an Undying Evil on Viridian Emissary to help churn out a Primeval Titan, Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger, Engulfing Slagwurm or Carnage Wurm. All this went by the wayside however when we went simple mon-green. Righto - here's the decklist at the moment which we are eager to improve upon . . .

Take note that this may or may not reflect the actual decklist as we know players at the local store (no names mentioned - Austin!!) may already sideboarded cards in even before we sat down to a match during a Friday Night Magic Event. We are already leaning towards using a full deckset of Corrosive Gale to pawn the token flyers in the local metagame. DROP US A COMMENT below with your suggestions - it is always appreciated.~Lastly,

Avacyn Restored the final set in Innistrad block is now available for preorder at MTG Mint Card, they are now offering an early bird discount for the Avacyn Restored uncommon & common card sets as low as $34.99. Apparently this is a limited time offer only so you may want to order today and have your AVR cards shipped on 4th May.~

3.19.2012

For today's post, we want to talk about an interesting deck archtype which has been around for a while but not really discussed yet here on MTG Realm. As the post title suggests, we'll look at the Superfriends build. After the main article (scroll waaay down to the bottom), there is some upcoming MTG news - specifically, the DCI Banned and Restricted List update expected out tomorrow.

Anywhoos, onto our look at Superfriends.You may recall our previous post last month where we had taken a more detailed look at one of our Friday Night Magic events with a view to the ever-evolving metagame. Today we'll take a closer look at Superfriends - which, depending upon the specific build may also be known as Junk Walkers, Esper Walkers (or another tri-colour arrangement), or something similar but with a snappy / witty name such as Super Friends with Benefits.

In last month's post we had mentioned, we had played in our third match against Dan Langan, a well known player at OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario. As we had mentioned, we gaming with Dan as he is not one to build and play the popular 'flavour of the month' but has a preference for unique / interesting rogue builds which are also exploring and exploiting the potential weaknesses of the metagame.

The deck he ran was his take on Superfiends. This deck's main purpose is to utilize the efficiency and board presence of a variety of planeswalkers to gain, maintain a board presence and push for a win condition. Dan has a whopping 9 planeswalkers in White, Blue and Black (the 'Esper' colours), and an aggressive control profile. Here's Dan's decklist :

~This deck looks to pack a big 'fun' factor into play as well as presenting a number of choices and strategies to carefully consider giving the opponent's build and game state. In our opinion, we would say that Gideon Jura is one of the more important Planeswalkers in the mix here giving his ability to be able to protect the other Planeswalkers as well as his higher loyalty counter stats. Gideon also potentially presents a board where opponent's creatures are tapped down allowing you to swing in for an alpha strike. Sorin, Lord of Innistrad as well as Elspeth Tirel provides defensive tokens in which to chump block. Liliana of the Veil provides discard and spot removal, Venser is able to reset PW loyalty counters and an exile stick. We think that it would take some time to be able to weild this build effecitently and effectively - somewhat akin to being able to conduct a full orchestra, but once mastered, this deck should do an excellent job of kicking butts and taking names.

~Next up -Tomorrow (Tuesday, 20th March 2012) we should expect the DCI Banned and Restricted List updates to be published on the mothership. Based on suggestive evidence, it is anticipated that Intangible Virtue (one of our fav cards at the moment) will get the ban-hammer in block-constructed format. This card has been dominating block constructed format recently and it seems that the only difference between a first and second place finish is who is able to field more Intangible Virtue enchantments quicker. As we don't really play block constructed, we really don't have an opinion but should this card get a ban or restriction for standard constructed (very unlikely) we think we will cry.~

Lastly,

If you thought that MTG Mint Card only sells Magic the the Gathering products, you should check again. They also have a host of other items of interest including World of Warcraft singles including the latest set 'Crown of the Heavens'. Check 'em out.~

3.15.2012

For today's post, we wanted to pick up on a post we had left on our MTG Realm Tumblr blog. You may recall two of our own members (RStomp and CopySix) doing a fun video on rage quitting during a Magic the Gathering game - altough somewhat based on a real game, the video was pretty much all parody and not documentary (which some unfortunate YouTube viewers may not have realised).

Anywhoos -Here's the video we want to show you (if you've not already seen), but we want to warn you - this contains some EXPLICIT LANGUAGE and may not be suitable for the OCD gamer. If you are easily offended, just scroll past to the slo-mo animated gif. Here is 'Francis Plays Magic the Gathering' -

~

This video was shot at Castle House Hobbies and Games in Fayetteville, Arkansas - the only gaming oasis in this corner of the state. The Rage Mage is 'Francis', aka Boogie2988 a popular YouTube poster who had provided a number of humourous vids.

Francis has one creature left on board and six life. His opponent is doing exceptionally better than this. In real life (IRL), we hope Francis would have quit and / or his opponent would have delivered the coup de grâce to end the game but of course this does not happen in the vid - Francis goes nuclear and flips the table - something many of us may have imagined doing but would never, ever do. Anywhoos - funny vid - dozens of dice, tokens and around 150 cards. By-the-way - if you need gaming supplies like dice which just got lost in a table flip, check our MTG Mint Card.

Remember kids, if your opponent flips the table on you (for real), we think (but are not certain) that DCI rules allow you to take their cards - check with your local DCI Judge.

Here's the gif -

~

Also -

You may recall our post about the upcoming SCG GP Salt Lake City tournament with the really crazy 'n' cool 'Gold Rush' promos. Essentially one of every card from Unlimited, Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, and The Dark are going into individual envelopes to be given to participants.